D&D 5E Would you buy an updated PHB every year?

[Li Shenron]

Mearls mentioned recently that there will be a feedback collection round probably at the beginning of 2015, and IIRC they have been talking about the possibility to update the rules of 5e once a year. They said they won't be "revisions" as in 3e and in 4e, but targetted updates to specific elements of the game that got enough negative feedback. This could mean anything really, from a couple of spells to a hundred minor changes... but it was mentioned that perhaps a round of feedback/update will happen every year, until there is no more need. It might anyway also end up being as major as the 3.5 revisions, but this time spread over multiple years.

Do you think this would mean we'll get those updates available online? If they incorporate them into new prints of the PHB, would you re-buy the PHB to have it up-to-date (or how much updated does it have to be for you to buy it again)? If the PHB reprints included not only updates, but also some additional material (like the 3.5 core books had) every year, would you be more interested?

 

[Sunseeker]

I would not buy a brand new book every year for "bug fixes".

I would buy a digital edition, and download an updated copy, for free, every year.

 

[Crothian]

No, I would be more likely to find a different game.

 

[ppaladin123]

I would not buy a brand new book every year for "bug fixes".

I would buy a digital edition, and download an updated copy, for free, every year.

Yes, this. I already bought a hard copy but would also buy a digital copy if it would be updated with errata regularly.

 

[DaveMage]

I like Paizo's model of correcting errata/making changes in each new printing of the core book but also providing a PDF of those changes.

As long as WotC keeps up their basic rules document with the latest info, no need to buy a new PH, although a "what has changed" document would certainly be welcome.

 

[Warunsun]

I would very much dislike the idea of them changing the three core rulebooks every year. I would perhaps buy a newer one every 3 or 4 years--but the changes would need to be both well thought out and significant but not too much different. I would also purchase a digital copy of the PH, DMG, and MM if they received free digital updates. But I also expect them to post any significant errata on their website for free download and I am hoping that the crazy amount of both intentional changes and errata done during 4th edition doesn't happen again. It was a major off-put even for someone that enjoyed fourth edition such as myself.

 

[Mistwell]

Mearls has also said they would only issue errata on things which are absolutely necessary - which there is wide agreement needs a change, as opposed to merely having a convenient change. Given that, I think there is a very very low chance of "hundreds of small changes".

I also don't think he has said or implied these would require players to pay to see them. I don't think WOTC is planning to force you to pay to see errata. They'll likely offer errata for free on their website, and they have sufficient history of doing just that I think to assume that's the likely route they will take.

 

[Hand of Evil]

No, and don't think I would buy just the bug fix either.

 

[Morrus]

Would I want to? No. Would I do it? Probably, yeah.

 

[MarkB]

If the game's flawed enough to justify a major revision a year later, chances are I won't be playing it in the meantime, so I'd have little interest in investing in a new version.

If the flaws are minor, requiring only minimal revision, then the updated rulebook won't provide sufficient new material to be worth buying again.